Dave Stallworth, a key member of the Knicks’ 1970 NBA championship team, died Wednesday night. He was 75.
The Knicks drafted Stallworth, a 6-7 forward, in the first round with the third overall pick in 1965 and he finished second to the Warriors’ Rick Barry in Rookie of the Year voting, averaging 12.6 points.
After a solid second season averaging 13 points, Stallworth suffered a heart attack at age 26 in 1967 and missed the next two seasons.
He returned to the Knicks in time for the title run, playing in all 82 games in the 1969-70 season, averaging 7.8 points per game, and playing a key role in the NBA Finals.